Raad ny Foillan
Isle of Man Coastal Path
98 miles
The Raad ny Foillan or Way of the Gull is a footpath around the Manx coast created to mark the Island's "Heritage Year" celebrations in 1986. It follows the coast wherever it can and traverses terrain which varies from shingle beaches at the Ayres in the north, hills of over 600ft and cliffs above the Sloc (Stacks) in the west, and the coastal sward at Scarlett near Castletown. There are spectacular clifftop views with much birdlife and contrasting sections on resort promenades. Using public roads only when necessary.
WHY?
Gavin has now moved to the Isle of Man so it makes sense that him and the old man get acquainted with the island by walking round it. Fingers Crossed!
PLAN
On Sunday 24th August 2014 I will catch the 11:10 Lockerbie to Lancaster Train.
Sunday 24/08/2014 Dumfries to Douglas
The journey has been uneventful so far .
The calm before the storm!
Just having a look at the maps.
Day 1 Monday 25/08/2014 Douglas to Port Erin 29.5 miles
Today we left Douglas Ferry terminal at 8:30 after having a big breakfast. After crossing the bridge and climbing the stairs to Marine Drive passing Manx Radio and Douglas Lighthouse we were on our way.
It was very windy and not long before the rain followed so poncho on this is starting to sound familiar.
Douglas to Castletown was 15.75 miles no wonder because each time we came to a cove we had to climb down then climb back up the other side.
The views have been fantastic all day even though visability is poor we pass the airport and head into Castletown.
After a stop to make some lunch it's onward heading for Port St Mary 6.75 miles away.
Blisters are now appearing but not big enough to show you and we are starting to get hungray again
Just before reaching Port St Mary we watch some wind surfers and surfers on the water they must be mad!
The last leg of the day is Port St Mary to Port Erin 7 miles and we arrive just in time to see the steam train.
Need to get some rest now before tomorrow.
Day 2 Tuesday 26/08/2014 Port Erin to Kirk Michael 22 miles Total 51.5
What a day woke up this morning and felt like I had been kick boxing all day yesterday!
Once we eased off we left Port Erin it was clear but windy. This section is a mountain section over the Carnanes with three large summits Bradda Hill, Lhiatte ny Beinee and Cronk ny Arrey Laa.
They did not disappoint we were blown away both with the views and the wind. Try ascending and descending the equivalent of more than a Munro with the wind trying to pull you off and that was our morning.
The sun came out and after what felt like ages we got to Peel 14.5 miles.
Some food in our belly and we were off again this time along an old railway line to Kirk Michael 7.5 miles.
This is where we will leave you with a sunset until tomorrow.
Night All!
Day 3 Wednesday 27/08/2014 Kirk Michael to Ramsay 22 miles Total 73.5
Starting in Kirk Michael this morning the weather looks good. Whats that? The roads are closed and The Manx Grand Prix is on better just have a peek. After watching some bikes it's down to the beach. But not for something sensible like a BBQ. Oh no it's for a 15 mile hike to Point of Ayre the most remote part on the island.
The guide says check the tide times then set yourself on automatic pilot north-north-east for a 13.5 mile trudge along the sand. So today that's what we did not much to tell you about a very long beach.
The tide was due at lunchtime just when we reach Jurby Head which meant we had to do a bit of rock climbing to get round!
The highlight of the day was a couple of seals following us up the coast and watching us eat lunch.
A light House is very big and we could see it for miles before we got to it so it felt a lot longer than the total 15 miles.
After a rest we now need to get a step on because it's 7 miles to Ramsay and it's getting late.
A look at the guide tells us it's beach all the way!
I will leave you with a picture of us heading into Ramsay.
Night all!
No sooner were we out off Ramsay and the heavens opened we were soaked through even with our waterproofs on it was torrential.
Head down and keep going after the one heavy shower the rain stopped and the sun came out and we were sweating buckets.
In the distance we could hear the electric train and we were soon crossing the track this happened lots throughout the day.
The locals are all very kind we have had two offers of a bed for the night and one couple told us about Ballafayle Cairn the remains of a Neolithic burial site with fantastic views which I am sure we would have missed.
At Maughold we had options as the tide was out but we chose to keep of the beach as it had done enough damage to us yesterday!
Before heading into Laxey we had to tackle Port Cornaa which we thought was pointless as it took us from inland through a glen to the coast then out another glen back inland having made no distance to Laxy and wasted 2 hours. But once there we realised why it was beautiful it was a real pity we had no time to stop and enjoy it.We are on tarmac a lot today but it is a nice change from beech. As we head into Old Laxey Harbour and we decide to take a detour into Laxey (meaning salmon in Manx) to see the Laxey Wheel and have a bite to eat this adds 2 miles on we must be mad.
Laxy to Douglas 9.5 miles and we have done it.
Again a lot of this is on road and we keep up a good pace.
Once into Port Groudle it's up a steep hill onto the road following then the railway line were soon at Onchan Head from there we can see the finish line down the promenade in Douglas.
We did it !
